Lamentably, September’s terrorist attacks on the United States have taken a toll on our economy and our national psyche. I wondered if woodworkers were also feeling the strain, so I recently asked WoodCentral forum visitors, “How have events since the September 11th bombings affected you as a woodworker?”
“I have significantly increased productivity in the shop and around the house. Life is too short to waste time. Sitting around talking about the horrific events won’t change what happened. We must do things that make a difference in the future, like volunteering our skills and setting a good example for our children. The key is to get something done that is constructive.”
“We got hit for sure. The employees and I were making so many mistakes that I closed the shop that week. We had some orders canceled. Two major trade shows in Paris and Los Angeles were canceled, and that hurt our marketing. We lost a significant amount in the stock market, which impairs our short term financing. Foreign orders have literally ceased, but we are increasing advertising, both domestic and foreign. We’ll be expanding the product line while things are slow. I am optimistic. No layoffs so far, but overtime has been eliminated.”
“The events of September 11th only make me want to strive harder and be even more proud to be an American. Woodworking forums are an excellent way for woodworkers to communicate, and the ‘woodworking community’ is one of the friendliest in the world. That feeling has only been magnified.”
“I hate to admit it, but I can’t seem to pry myself away from the ‘info binge.’ It will wear off soon enough, though, and I’ll be back to full strength here.”
“No changes at all to either my woodworking or lifestyle. If we change our national habits and values, they win.”
“Life has to go on. Stopping everything to brood on such things merely prevents one from seeing the whole. You can allow yourself to mentally get too close to the situation. A quote: ‘It’s hard to see the picture if you put yourself in the frame.'”
“Gotta’ keep on truckin’. Can’t spend my time worrying about terrorists. Did have a two week morose period, but I’m back to ‘normal. Went to two woodcarving competitions and did well, but sales were down. Maybe due to the downtrodden economy, probably related to September 11th. Art is always the first stuff to come off the shopping list.”
“Spent some time reflecting on the September 11th incident. Ever since the 2000 scare, I’ve known some kind of terrorist incident was going to happen. Now I am back to working very hard on my woodworking projects.”
“On top of all that’s happened in NY, my brother is scheduled for surgery and is not strong, so my mind is full of sorrows. The shop is one place I go to relieve all the thoughts, because I give the work my full attention. Fortunately, at least I hope, the terrorists wouldn’t be woodworkers. I wouldn’t want to find out I was conversing with one of them.”
“The flag case I’m preparing for an uncle who served in WWII, takes on more significance. Our young men and women now have to carry on in harm’s way. It has sometimes been a struggle to get on the train to Manhattan each morning, and we must now honor those who are laying their lives on the line to save our freedoms, again.”
“We certainly can not stop our everyday activities because of September 11th. We have a generation that has no real understanding of war and the emotional distress concomitant to war. Of course, we have to visit our woodworking forums. Of course, we have to go to ball games, or fish, or hunt, or, or, or…”
“There are events in one’s lifetime that stand out from the others. After a time, it is not dwelled upon. I haven’t changed my activities or game plan because of the tragedy. This old rock is going to keep on turning, and I’m going to have to turn with it no matter what happens out in the world.”
“Like everyone else, I’ve gone through stages of mourning. I think the population of this country is rechecking its priorities. Even though I am active as a community volunteer, I find myself doing more than ever. It seems that I am thinking more clearly and further ahead, putting more into it than before. The time that I dedicate to woodworking is used more wisely.”
“I’ll better choose which projects to work; home improvements can be farmed out. The woodworking forums can be used to stay in touch and convey a sense of ‘team’ unity.”
“I am filled with a sense of anger that compels me to do more things I enjoy. Right now, that is woodworking and trap shooting, a new hobby. I can make those clay pigeons look like whatever I want before I shatter them. Guess who?”
“I get a sense of nationwide unity and camaraderie participating in web forums. Even as President Bush suggests in stimulating the economy, I decided to purchase an expensive tool I had wanted for some time.”
“It stunned me to see the World Trade Center come down, especially because I’ve spent some time on the observation deck of the north tower, My woodworking projects will not stop and what I have planned will go on as planned. It will help our country to help those we can, go on as we always have, and smell the beautiful odor of fresh milled wood and marvel at the beautiful grain.”
“When I went to the shop that week, it was difficult to concentrate. Listening to the radio made it worse, but I felt like I couldn’t shut it off. Getting back to the forums was comforting. Now that the initial shock has passed, I rely on shop time even more than before for therapy. I forget everything when I’m out there. It’s an escape.”